DEI Holdings Establishes New Audio Division, Sound United, and Announces Promotions
Sound United to accelerate investment in audio brands with focus on launching innovative products and compelling branding campaigns
VISTA, Calif., April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- DEI Holdings, Inc., a leading designer and marketer of premium home, car, and personal audio products, and security and remote start systems, has formed Sound United, a new division that will oversee its Polk Audio®, Definitive Technology®, and BOOM™ Movement audio brands. The three brands will remain separate and distinct from one another to fill their unique roles in the market. Directed, DEI's business specializing in vehicle security and remote start systems, will remain a stand-alone division and will not be affected.
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"By creating Sound United, we put a name to the business model we have been operating for nearly the last 10 years since acquiring Definitive in 2004 and then Polk in 2006. Specifically, we work collaboratively with the management of each of our brands to provide strategic resources and the capital necessary to accelerate growth while providing our channel partners and consumers with innovative products and differentiated brands," explained Jim Minarik, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DEI Holdings, Inc.
"With our recent investment in a Global Design Center, which is chartered to fuel innovation in our product portfolio and add amazing aesthetics to our award-winning acoustics, we anticipate Sound United will continue to serve an important role in the ever changing global audio industry."
The new Sound United business unit will be led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Minarik and President Kevin Duffy, both of whom will also retain their current roles at DEI Holdings. Polk Audio's Senior Vice President Sales, Ben Newhall, has been promoted to Chief Sales Officer for Sound United. In addition, Polk Audio's Senior Vice President, Joe Tristani, has been named Chief Operating Officer of Sound United. Michael DiTullo and Blair Tripodi currently serve as Sound United's Chief Design Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, respectively.
Dave Peet and Steve Jain are continuing in their roles as Executive Vice President of Definitive Technology and Director of Sales of BOOM Movement, respectively, and will report directly to Mr. Newhall. Mr. Newhall's other direct reports include Dave Penrod, National Account Manager for Sound United, and Arturas Rainys, VP Corporate Development for International Sales.
At Polk, Dan Wakefield has been promoted to Vice President of Sales directly reporting to Mr. Newhall. He will be replaced by Bill Kinsella as Polk Audio's National Sales Director. Mike Simmons continues in his role as President of Directed.
"We are all very excited about the formation of Sound United," said Ben Newhall, Sound United's newly appointed Chief Sales Officer. "Each brand will retain its unique culture, product philosophy, and market focus while we take advantage of the Global Design Center to drive innovation and fuel growth."
As part of the move, Sound United launched a new web site today, reflecting the strength and personality of the new company. (www.soundunited.com)
About DEI Holdings, Inc.
Headquartered in Vista, Calif., DEI Holdings, Inc. (www.deiholdings.com) is the parent company of some of the most respected brands in the consumer electronics industry. Its flagship audio division, Sound United, is the largest designer and marketer in North America of premium loudspeakers, which are sold under the Polk Audio®, Definitive Technology®, and BOOM™ Movement brand names. Its flagship automotive company, Directed, is an industry leader in consumer-branded vehicle security and remote start systems, which are sold under Viper®, Clifford®, Python®, Autostart® and other brand names.
About Sound United
Sound United (www.soundunited.com) is the new audio division of DEI Holdings, Inc. Based in Vista, Calif. and Baltimore, Maryland, it oversees the Polk Audio®, Definitive Technology®, and BOOM™ Movement audio brands. Together these innovative brands offer a complete range of high-performance audio for the sounds of every application – whether it is personal audio, gaming, TV programs, movies, or audiophile-grade music reproduction.
Media Contact: Adam Sohmer
Sohmer Associates, LLC
347-497-4965
[email protected]
SOURCE Sound United
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